Find your Battle Buddy
Many new leaders are surprised by the sense of isolation leadership can bring. It’s hard being a leader, and in the leadership ups and downs, it’s an easy tendency to pull away from others because they simply don’t understand. Even within a leadership team, it can be hard to share your authentic self, and over time, you can begin to feel like a solitary individual in the middle of a crowd. But, healthy leadership does not have to feel lonely. If anything, you should feel even more connected to those around you than ever before. In order to be an emotionally healthy leader, you need a support system behind you, and the first step in developing that system is finding a battle buddy.
In the military, when you are out in the field, everyone has a battle buddy. Your battle buddy is your friend and confidant, the person you trust 100% to have your back because you have theirs. You look out for them, and they look out for you. Every leader needs a leadership battle buddy. Someone you can talk to about your frustrations, your self-doubt, and your leadership fears. Someone who has your best interest in mind, but is brave enough to give you the honest truth. It's someone safe to vent to when you just need to let off a little steam in a safe place. It’s someone to whom you can admit your leadership mistakes, even when they are embarrassing or painful. It’s also someone you can share your leadership victories and mountaintop moments with without worrying that you are bragging or celebrating too much. Your battle buddy is your leadership accountability parter and you ride the highs and lows of leadership together, confident that what you share is private and valued.
Do you have a battle buddy? If you don’t, look around for a good candidate. It doesn’t have to be someone who serves directly with you, just someone who understands leadership and wants to journey together. Consider cultivating a support system an essential part of your personal leadership growth. If you do have a battle buddy, lean in and make the most of it. Share all aspects of your leadership experience together. You’ll find it enhances your leadership health and effectiveness, and makes you feel more connected than ever before. No man is an island. Link arms with your battle buddy and enjoy your leadership adventure together.
